Paramus Police Department

Come out and say hello on “National Coffee With A Cop” day

Saturday, October 3, 2026, marks the 50th anniversary of the line-of-duty death of Paramus Police Officer Michael P. McEllen, Shield #306.
On the early morning hours of October 3, 1976, Officer McEllen was responding to a burglar alarm when he was killed in a motor vehicle crash serving the residents of Paramus.
Officer McEllen was a husband and father who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our community. He left behind his wife, Jean, and two young children. Fifty years later, his legacy of service continues through those children, Dr. Michelle McEllen and retired Detective Lieutenant Craig McEllen, who have each gone on to distinguished lives dedicated to helping and serving others.
While five decades have passed since Officer McEllen’s final tour of duty, the passage of time does not diminish the sacrifice he made, nor the loss experienced by his family, friends, fellow officers, and the Paramus community. His name remains permanently woven into the history and traditions of the Paramus Police Department.
In conjunction with PBA Local 186, the Paramus Police Department will fly the National Flag at half-staff on October 3, 2026, in solemn remembrance of Officer McEllen and in recognition of the 50 years since his sacrifice.
As members of this Department, we have inherited a proud tradition built by those who served before us. We have a responsibility to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice and to ensure that their service and sacrifice are never forgotten.
I ask that each of you take a moment to remember Officer Michael P. McEllen, Shield #306, his family, and the legacy of service he left behind.



Fifty years later, we remember.
Fifty years later, we honor.
Fifty years later, we will never forget.
Please keep Officer McEllen, his family, and all of the families who have lost loved ones in the line of duty in your thoughts.

Respectfully,
Robert M. Guidetti
Chief of Police

Congratulations to Paramus Emergency Services EMT’s on a few recent awards presented to them at the Mayor & Council meeting.

Presented with a CPR lifesaving award are:
Crew Chief Ellen Hillman, Crew Chief Robert Mitchell, EMT Youssef Mikhaiel and Crew Chief Christopher Martino

Chief of Police Robert Guidetti and members of the Paramus Police Department Command Staff recently welcomed our newest officers to the Fritz Behnke Historical Museum for a lesson in the rich history of the community they have now sworn to protect.

Long before Paramus became a bustling retail destination and one of the centers of Bergen County, it was a community of celery fields, dirt roads and farms, with roots dating back to the Lenni Lenape people who lived and harvested on this land. The construction of the George Washington Bridge helped transform Paramus by connecting New Jersey with New York and accelerating the growth that would eventually make Paramus a regional retail mecca and today, a growing center for healthcare, business, commerce and community life.

Understanding Paramus means understanding where it came from. Our new officers learned about the people, places and events that shaped the town they now serve and even about Chief Barney Martin, who once patrolled these same streets on a motorcycle.

From celery fields and dirt roads to one of New Jersey’s premier retail and commercial communities, Paramus has never stopped evolving.

Our newest officers now have a better understanding of the community, the history and people they are sworn to protect.

Thank you to Fred Behnke and the staff of the Behnke Museum for an amazing tour.

The calm before the storm • please make sure you prepare for this weekend’s storm as we are expecting heavy rain and wind.  it is always good to have a storm action plan for your family!

Today we remember our friend and colleague Sean Benson who tragically passed away 11 years ago today, September 23, 2015. Sean, in addition to being a Chief with the Paramus Fire Department was the communications coordinator at the Paramus Police Department.

Congratulations to Lieutenant Michael Kelly on this prestigious milestone in his career. We look forward to his continued leadership within our department and for our community.

Congratulations to Officer Anthony Liggio on his 25 years of service as a Paramus Police Officer.

Congratulations to Traffic Sergeant Andrew Cofone on celebrating 20 years as a Police Officer in the Borough of Paramus.